Patent · US Expired

Automotive manufacturing system for frame component

US6360421B1 · kind B1 · utility

19Cited by
18References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 16, 1999
Grant dateMar 26, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 16, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/53365
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for the manufacture of an assembly, such an automobile body-in-white or sub-assembly, that comprises a plurality of components is disclosed. Selected from the plurality of components are components which can form an initial rigid structure. These selected components are then positioned relative to each other with reference to at least one reference point on at least one of the selected components. These selected components are then affixed to one another, by, for example, spot welds to form the initial structure. The non-selected components are then positioned relative to the same reference point and attached to either the initial structure or a component that was affixed in an earlier process. An assembly, such as an automobile body-in-white, will have reduced manufacturing tolerances when compared to the body-in-white manufactured in a conventional manner.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.